Foodie Travels to Scotland

When we travel it’s fun to go to the grocery store to check out what the locals are really eating. It’s always instructive. Just as folks visiting the States are gobsmacked by the cereal aisle at Safeway I got a charge out of the variety of crisps and tinned meats on offer at the Farm Mart in Oban.

One. You know you are in the UK when a Full English is offered at the breakfast buffet. I do love it, but I skip the beans. Beans? Seriously, for breakfast? Not a fan.

Two. Of course I had fish & chips! Had I been there longer I’d have eaten both haddock AND cod, but I only had time for one serving.

Three. Tyrrell’s Crips are my ab fab! Last summer the Iona shop sold them and I often bought a bag to enjoy after my shift in the kitchen. This year I had to wait until the Glasgow airport to buy a bag on my way home. Ahhh, yummy yummy yummy.

Four. Haggis. I ate it several times on Iona and it tasted very close to sausage. I was just surprised to see it tinned! I had no need to bring some home. I kinda know the boys would not be thrilled.

Five. The Kettle brand spreads their products world wide, but not all their flavors go global. Taste is a very national and even regionally specific thing. Fascinating.

Six & Seven. Tinned meats, always a little weird if you ask me. That said I used to eat deviled ham when I was little. I tried it again recently. Ick, so salty, no longer a fan.

Eight. Pork belling and squid from a fancy smancy seafood restaurant in Oban. Small plates. I love it when you can try more than one thing on the menu.